Trowbridge War
Memorial JN 12045
Treatment Report
September 2012
War
Memorial
Report prepared for
Wiltshire County
Council
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TREATMENT REPORT
© Cliveden Conservation Workshop Ltd
Job No.
Issue No.
Description
Issue Date
12045
1
Final Report
September 2012
PROJECT SUMMARY
REGION:
Somerset
LOCATION:
Trowbridge Park
OBJECT:
Monument
MATERIALS:
Bronze, limestone, cement
DIMENSIONS:
Approx. Statue 2.40 metres x pedestal 3.5 metres
REPORT
WRITTEN BY:
Tracy E. Jeffreys
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TREATMENT REPORT ............................................................................................. 4
1.0
Introduction ................................................................................................. 4
1.1
Description .................................................................................................. 4
2.0
Treatment..................................................................................................... 4
2.1
Treatment Methodology for the Bronze Soldier ...................................... 5
2.2
Treatment Methodology for the limestone pedestal................................ 6
3.0
Additional Treatment ................................................................................. 7
4.0
Condition ..................................................................................................... 8
5.0
Further Recommendations ......................................................................... 8
6.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD ......................................................................... 9
APPENDICES ........................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONDITION CODE SUMMARY ........................................................................... 14
TREATMENT REPORT
1.0
Introduction
Cliveden Conservation was commissioned by Wiltshire County Council, to
restore and conserve the Trowbridge Park War Memorial.
It was repaired in accordance with the Condition Report prepared in April
2012 by Cliveden Conservation.
The memorial, which was unveiled on August 13, 1921 commemorates the
289 servicemen who lost their lives in the First World War.
In 1946 an additional roll of honour was placed on two bronze plaques in
remembrance of the 102 servicemen who gave their lives during the Second
World War.
1.1
Description
A limestone pedestal supports a bronze soldier in full battle dress standing at
ease.
The sculpture is signed by the artist PG Bentham RBS and the cast was
produced and recorded by the Morris Singer Foundry in 1921.
The contemporary pedestal is raised on a paved stylobate and is flanked at
the base of the monument with a pair of cast concrete tablets /stele that are
decorated in low relief with the customary regimental insignia.
Currently, there is no official documentation available regarding any remedial
work or any maintenance including the alterations made to the memorial in
1946.
2.0
Treatment
The approach was to, only where necessary, to repair and stabilise the
condition of the bronze sculpture and pedestal. This involved removing
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where possible the extrinsic and extensive copper oxide staining from the
monuments stonework.
By patinating the bronze, the sculptures bronze was given a passive layer and
is returned to a more unified colour while at the same time retaining the
surface character of the natural patina.
It is not intended that the bronze is returned to the artists pre-determined
artificial patina as this would require the removal and as a result the total loss
of the established natural patina.
There was no intention to remove the existing naturally formed stable
patination but only remove active corrosion and build on the protection of the
bronze and its existing natural patina.
As discussed, the colour of the bronze was altered in keeping with the
previously restored Rolls of Honour. An application of a selected chemical
patina recipe was worked over the clean and tempered bronze thus creating a
passive and evenly toned surface.
Given the range of colour and variation on the sculptures surface, to create a
totally even chemical patina would result in excessively darkened surface.
Slight variations of brown and the retention of areas of very dark green are
considered acceptable as the overall effect is one of visual unity of colour.
The final preservation coating and wax treatment was specified based on the
exposed location of the monument and guided by the absence of a current
maintenance programme.
2.1
Treatment Methodology for the Bronze Soldier
A primary wash using a power washer with a fan nozzle wand (used
at an extended distance of 120mm from the bronze surface and not
exceeding a maximum PSI of 800) removed all surface detritus both
from the pedestal and bronze.
The cast concrete stele were given a general clean together with the
principal inscription and the four bronze Rolls of Honour.
After washing the bronze was heated and thoroughly dried before the
continued removal of corrosion products and any residual wax coating
by solvent cleaning using a combination of (1:1) Acetone and Ethanol
with surfactant.
Concentrated areas of active corrosion were identified and a localised
chemical cleaning treatment using the chemical reagent di-sodium
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EDTA in deionised water was applied with cotton swabs and removed
with deionised water.
2.2
The bronze plaques conditions were found to be stable and recently
restored and so did not require any additional patina work.
On completion the sculpture was thoroughly washed to remove trace
residue (1:1 Acetone & deionised water) and then heated until
completely dry before a thin layer of a photo-stable clear acrylic
coating with the corrosion inhibitor benzotriazole was applied to all
the bronze elements.
The bronze surface and structural integrity of pins and bridges were
checked. Weep holes were cleared and water traps and pitting or areas
indicating metal fatigue were discreetly capped using metal epoxy
resin.
Minor metal epoxy fills and repairs were made to an open fissure
within the rifle butt and water traps between the garment folds along
the proper left upper torso were discreetly filled to allow a successful
run off.
Repairs were colour matched and in-painted with stable earth
pigments suspended in the chosen clear acrylic coating.
To complete all the bronze elements received a final treatment of two
protective layers of Microcrystalline Wax.
Treatment Methodology for the limestone pedestal
All loose friable debris was removed with bristle brushes from the
stonework.
Prior to treatment the adjacent bronze panels and untreated stone were
protected at all times using polythene sheet cut and taped to prevent
electrochemical reaction on the bronze or on the unaffected calcareous
stone.
After testing for suitability, a chelating agent buffered to a pH of 8.5
was introduced to remove the precipitated copper oxides from the
stained sections of stone surface using a paper and methylcellulose
poultice.
To summarize, the areas were pre-wetted and 5 applications of
poultice were made to the staining and allowed to dwell for 8, 6, 4, and
2 hours respectively over a period of 8 days. The sections were
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thoroughly washed between applications to remove all detritus and
limit the stones exposure to the chemical reagent.
3.0
Failed joints and areas of loss were removed and re-pointed & mortar
repaired respectively with a sympathetic hydraulic lime mortar.
To offer the stone surface a protective sacrificial layer and aesthetically
improve the stonework’s general appearance two coats of a casein and
lime-bound shelter-coat were applied to the stone, worked in and
actively developed in vulnerable weathered areas, notably the pedestal
die and plinth.
A detached fragment of spalled stone located on the North East midsection of the tier steps was repaired and reset. A stainless steel dowel
was drilled (4mm x 50mm ) into the fragment and step and set with
polyester resin. Minor losses were repaired using a suitable hydraulic
lime mortar & hairline fissures injected with a hydraulic grout.
Additional Treatment
Additional work included the introduction of a fixing arrangement
which would level the foundation and offer further support for the
four most recent Portland stone memorial markers.
The centre position and height of each corresponding stone memorial
was lined out and a firm compacted base layer of coarse aggregate
100/150mm depth) followed by fine sand (depth 50mm) and a base
foundation stone laid (D 40 x 350mm W) with a 6mm dowel core
drilled through its centre.
To improve the stability and prevent creep, the markers were secured
with a 6mm x 640mm dowel set into and through the centre drilled
foundation stone.
A nut and washer were used to arrange and lock the 115mm length
required for the stainless steel dowel to be set into the drilled
underside of the marker to a depth of 115mm
A general clean to the improve the overall appearance of the
surrounding area and including the base of the monument was
conducted using a power washer with a fan nozzle wand at an
extended distance of 120mm from the paved stone surface and not
exceeding a maximum PSI of 800. This removed the accumulated
biofilm and growth from the stylobate, steps and paved entranceway.
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4.0
Condition
In general the monument is currently in excellent condition and at this point
requires no further treatment.
The current stability code is a reflection of the variable and therefore
unpredictable conditions that outdoor statuary is subjected to.
Photo oxidation and general weathering limit the life expectancy of both the
protective coatings. The optimum life of the acrylic protective film if regularly
maintained is 8-10 years. Without a sufficient maintenance programme the
coating can be expected to need replacing in approximately 5 years time.
The estimated life expectancy of microcrystalline wax is 1-2 years with its
functionality reduced to below 30% for the second year.
•
5.0
Condition Code Summary
Stability
ii
(i – stable; iv – highly unstable)
Condition
B
(A – excellent; D – poor):
Treatment priority
1
(1– no treatment; 4 – urgent)
Further Recommendations
To prevent further cyclic corrosion regular maintenance is essential with
outdoor statuary.
•
The memorial will require annual monitoring and a bi -annual
maintenance programme to replace the protective wax coating.
•
The stonework will benefit from regular cleaning
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6.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD
Before primary wash
Before patination.
After patination and the application of
acrylic coating.
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Patination in progress
After final Patination, coating and wax
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Cleaned Stele mid treatment.
Final surface after conservation treatment.
Prepared Marker bedding stone with dowel
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Images show the progression of Sequestering the copper oxides from the stones surface
Final complete with shelter coat
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CONDITION CODE SUMMARY
STABILITY (i-iv)
i
Stable
Condition not expected to deteriorate within the next 10+
years
ii
Potentially unstable
Condition not expected to deteriorate within next 5-10 years
iii
Unstable/Steady
deterioration:
Change in condition likely to be evident between 1 –5 years
iv
Highly unstable:
Change in condition likely to be evident within 1 year
CONDITION (A–D)
A
Excellent
Little or no damage evident
B
Good
Minor amount of damage and/or loss of original and added
material, or with light discoloration or accretions.
C
Fair
Noticeable damage and loss and appears disfigured with
visible accretions.
D
Poor
Considerable and/or significant loss of original or added
material or major damage/breakage or disfigurement. May
be endangering other objects and surfaces.
TREATMENT PRIORITY (1-4)
1
No treatment
Conservation treatment not required beyond routine
maintenance.
2
Desirable
Conservation treatment desirable but not necessary to
ensure the long term stability of the object. For instance,
conservation treatment may be required for curatorial
reasons.
3
Necessary
Conservation treatment necessary to avoid further
deterioration, loss or undesirable strain on an object and/or
loss of significance (evidential or artistic value).
4
Urgent
Conservation treatment required to prevent significant
deterioration in condition of object and/or loss of
significance (evidential or artistic value). This may include
structural vulnerability, risk of total loss of entire object or
part of object, or risk of accident to visitors/users.
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